Digital information golf ball system

ABSTRACT

A golf ball locator and player ball strike information system includes a golf ball that utilizes a signal transmitter; one hand held electromagnetic signal receiver; and a CPU coupled to the receiver and configured to receive signals from the ball, to determine the location of the golf ball using signals produced by the ball, outputting at least one signal indicating the location of the golf ball in relation to a hand held device, and one signal relaying information during play of the ball last struck, showing but not limited to, spin rate, shot distance, speed, launch angle. All information is kept on an application for golfer use, but is not limited to computer devices, smart devices, hand held devices and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A. Field of invention

The present invention relates to the area of tracking or monitoring the performance of a golf ball during a game of golf of a user. Particular embodiments relate to a system for tracking the flight, velocity, spin and location of a golf ball and providing useful statistics to the user in connection therewith.

B. Description of Related Art

Golf clubs are used to propel a ball toward a favored location and along a desired trajectory. The orientation and speed of the club head at impact largely determines the ball path including its carry distance, spin and roll.

Various data measuring and collecting devices and methods exist for analyzing a golf club during a golf swing. In a similar manner, the effectiveness of a golf ball impact with the golf club during the swing can be measured in terms of initial launch conditions. Such launch conditions include the initial velocity, launch angle, spin rate and spin axis of the golf ball. These launch conditions are determined principally by the velocity of a club head at impact and the loft angle of a club face relative to the intended trajectory of the golf ball's flight. There are two general methods for analyzing the golf club swing: visual analysis and quantitative variable analysis.

The method of analyzing a swing using visual analysis typically is conducted by a golf instructor capable of visually discerning golf swing variables, and suggesting corrections in the golfer's swing to provide improvement. However, not every golfer has ready access to professional golf instruction. The golfer also can diagnose certain swing faults using visual analysis methodology employing one or more cameras to record his swing and comparing it to a model swing. Using various camera angles and slow motion playback, the actual swing motion can be reviewed and altered in subsequent swings.

On the other hand, quantitative variable analysis employs sensors to directly measure various mechanical or physical properties of the golf club during the swing motion. Sensors, such as strain gauges or accelerometers, typically are attached to the shaft or the golf club head. Data collected from these strain gauges then may be transferred to a signal processor via wires or radio waves, and can be presented in various graphical formats, including various charts. A significant drawback associated with the use of wires in an instrumented golf club is that the wires can be very cumbersome, and can become obtrusive to the golfer when the golfer attempts to swing the golf club. Several different approaches to analyzing a golf club (or baseball bat during a baseball bat swing) using quantitative variable analysis are discussed in the patents listed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,340, issued to Kim, discloses the use of multiple sensors for measuring the acceleration of a golf club, and uses either a cable or radio transmissions to transfer data from the sensors to an external data processing means.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,850, issued to Wilhelm, discloses the use of a sensor for measuring the applied force of a golf swing. The sensor data can be displayed on a wrist-mounted arrangement or be downloaded to a computer via cable or radio transmission.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,863, issued to Evans, discloses the use of multiple sensors, including an accelerometer and strain gauges, to measure torque and flex. Data is transferred from the golf dub to a data analysis station via FM radio signals, with each sensor having its own data transfer frequency.

The prior art is lacking in a practical method and system for shot tracking.

Recently published specification to Unger US2015/0094168 suggests a system for tracking a golf ball during flight and after landing on the golf course. Unger also suggests providing the golf ball with onboard intelligence communication with a transmission technology to acquire data from the golf ball and compute ball performance characteristics of intersection that are displayed on a smart phone.

The present invention improves upon the many technical and practical deficiencies of the teaching of Unger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for use with a telephony device capable of operating a software application. The system functions to monitor and calculate selectable parameters of a golf ball during a game of golf, the system including a cellular communications network having at least one dedicated data collection se,ver; a digital hand-held unit including a GPS chip and means for collecting and processing data using suitable software for the capture and analysis of data from said network. The system further includes a golf ball having, disposed in and about a core thereof and within a diameter of less than one half of said golf ball, a digital communication system. Said system includes a multi-axis accelerometer chip, a multi-axis gyroscope chip, an antennae and a central processing unit (CPU) including means for transmitting acquired data from said accelerometer and gyroscope to said network, said CPU including software for employment of acquired data for purposes of calculation of ball parameters of interest. Also included in the communication system is a sensor hub defining means for management of data between said accelerometer, gyroscope and said network, and a battery having an associated power management means.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a system for tracking of the flight, location, spin and other parameters of a golf ball, or a ball used in any sport, and and transmitting the location of the ball to a receiving device held by the user or player, to thereby gather data and calculate information about the flight of the ball, and transmitting such information to a device held by the user or player.

It is another object to provide a system of the above type in which information may be gathered about the flight characteristics of a golf ball to enable a golfer to improve his or her game.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a system of the above type in which system information received upon the hand-held device is able to illustrate to golfers their golf swing tendencies.

It is a yet further object to provide a system of the above type to assist instructors in better teaching students ways in which their game may be improved.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a system for reducing the number of lost golf balls and time looking for golf balls in unusual locations, thereby minimizing financial loss due the time spent by golfers looking for golf balls, reducing the time spent on the golf course and thereby permitting a golf course to sell additional rounds of golf.

It is a yet further object to provide a system of the above, type which can communicate to an individual golfer data in connection with spin rate, shot distance, ball speed, launch angle and other parameters of interest, and to display the same visually on a hand-held device.

The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims appended herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view showing the relationship of a smart phone and special-purpose hand held unit of a golfer to a cellular telephone network according to the present system.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the operation of the system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagrammatic view of the internal circuitry embedded within a golf ball of the present system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagrammatic view of the internal circuitry embedded within the tracking assistance bag unit of the present system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the orthornormal parameters measured by the present system to produce data from which parameters of interest may be calculated. FIG. 5 further shows the relative diameter and size of the circuitry of the present system to that of a typical golf ball.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual exploded view of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Properly informing a golfer of the details related to his or her golf game can help the golfer reduce his or her score. This information can be captured directly from information generated by the flight of the golf ball.

As shown in FIG. 1, a complete digital network for a smart golf ball 100 can be created with an embedded “smart” golf ball 102, a smartphone 104 or other handheld unit 106, and a locator assistance unit attached to the golf bag 107, existing telecommunications transmission protocols 108, the internet 114, and a dedicated data collection server 116.

The smartphone 104 can be any existing telephony device (iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, etc.) available for sale though consumer retail channels capable of running a proprietary software application for the capture and analysis of the data from the smart golf ball 102. The handheld unit 106 can be any digital handheld unit capable of running a proprietary software application for the capture and analysis of the data from the smart golf ball 102. The locator assistance bag unit 107 provides location data to assist with signal triangulation,

Data will be collected from the smart golf ball 102 and the bag unit 107 directly by the smartphone 104 or handheld unit 106, and then transmitted via either WiFi 110 or the cellular telephone network 112 across the public Internet cloud 114 to dedicated data collection servers 116.

The data server 116 will be an online database server provisioned from a cloud provider or hosted in a private datacenter. The data server will store golfer's account information and correlate that with information captured from the smart golf ball 102.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the smart golf ball 102 will be fully powered on with a preset sequence of shakes 200 of the bail 102 which will be noted by the onboard accelerometers 312. The power on sequence will turn on the Bluetooth LE 304 and antenna 302 to enable all other features embedded in the ball. Once powered on, the ball 102 and bag unit 107 can be paired 202 with the smartphone 104 or handheld 106 using standard Bluetooth pairing protocols. After pairing 204, the smartphone 104 or handheld 106 will record the smartphone 104 or handheld's 106 GPS location data, the ball's 102 Bluetooth signal strength, the bag unit's 107 Bluetooth signal strength, the unique Bluetooth ID from the ball 102, and the unique Bluetooth ID from the bag unit 107. The bag unit 107 will also record the Bluetooth signal strength from the ball 102, and transmit that Information to the smartphone 104 or handheld 106.

If a telecommunications link 108, is available, the software application will report wind speed and direction collected from external Internet sources which are then stored on and transmitted from the data server 116. Wind speed and direction information is displayed to the golfer via the smartphone 104 or handheld 106 software application,

At this point 207, the golfer indicates the beginning of a round of golf by selected the golf course and the corresponding first hole of the round, in case the golfer wishes to start at any point in the course, on the software application. The software will record the GPS coordinates from the smartphone 104 or handheld 106 built-in GPS antenna. The golfer then hits the ball 208. So long as the golf ball 102 is in range of the smartphone 104 or handheld 106, and the bag unit 107, the data collected by the various components 300 embedded in the smart ball will be transmitted to the smartphone 104 or handheld 106, and to the bag unit 107. Once out of range, the smart golf ball 102 will record all collected sensor data 318 in the onboard memory 306.

The golfer will then physically follow after the ball 102. If necessary, the golfer can use the application to track the location of the ball 210 relative to his or her current location. This information will be mathematically extrapolated from the data previously collected. Once signal communication is re-established via Bluetooth 212, the software application will be able to direct the golfer with greater accuracy using the previously recorded Bluetooth signal strength data 204 to direct the golfer to the ball 102. The ball 102 will also transmit all stored data 214 collected from embedded sensors 318.

At this point 216, the software will record the GPS coordinates from the smartphone 104 or handheld 106 built-in GPS antenna, along with the ball's 102 Bluetooth 304 signal strength and the bag unit 107 Bluetooth signal strength. The smartphone 104 or handheld's 106 on board central processing unit will then calculate 218 roll, spin, distance, angle and all variations possible from the collected sensor data 318.

The software application will check for network availability 220. If a network is available, all data 216, 218 collected will be transmitted 222 to the data server 116. If there is no network available 224, all data will remain stored on the smartphone 104 or handheld 106 until network connectivity is available.

All collected and calculated data 216, 218, is then reported via the software application 226 to the golfer. Golfers will be able to select what information they wish reported by the software application. However, all available data is collected and transmitted to the data server 116 regardless of the golfer's data reporting preferences.

Based on data collected from the accelerometers 312 and gyroscope 314, the software application will be able to determine if the golfer sank the ball 102 in the hole. This will be recorded as the end of a hole 228 which will trigger the software to reset the hit counter 230 and switch to the next hole. The golfer is now ready to continue his or her game 208.

During play, the golfer will have the option to end the game 232 via the software application interface. At this point 234, the software application will collect any remaining sensor data 318, transmit 108 this to the data server 116, and then instruct the smart golf ball 102 CPU 308 to power down to sleep mode to conserve battery life.

Additionally, FIG. 3 describes the various PCB components to be embedded in the smart golf ball 102. The Bluetooth antenna 302 will be wrapped around the PCB and battery to act as a case to protect the chipset. This will be connected to a Bluetooth Low Energy chipset 304 which will collect and translate the wireless communication protocol. The CPU 308 will be an Intel® Quark™ processor, or similar low power, small form factor digital processor. Integrated with the processor 308, will be a low power DRAM 306 for the storage of collected sensor data 318. Further, a low-power integrated DSP sensor hub with pattern-matching technology 310 will manage the data from the 3-axis accelerometers 312 and the 3-axis gyroscope 314. Lastly, a power management integrated circuit 316 will connect to the battery 109.

FIG. 4 describes the various PCB components to be embedded in the bag unit 107. The Bluetooth antenna 302 will be connected to a Bluetooth Low Energy chipset 304 which will collect and translate the wireless communication protocol. The CPU 308 will be an Intel Quark™ processor, or similar low power, small form factor digital processor. Lastly, a power management integrated circuit 316 will connect to a pair of standard AA batteries. The entire bag unit 107 will be in a plastic casing.

FIG. 5 illustrates the three primary axes of data that will be collected from the 3-axis accelerometers and the 3-axis gyroscope. It also details the relative diameters of the smart golf ball 102 and the embedded PCB 300 and battery 109.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the smart golf ball 102. The exterior cover 101 shall conform to established professional golf standards for golf ball covers. The interior 103 can be one to three layers depending on the quality rating of the golf ball. The antenna 105 will encircle the PCB 300 and battery 109 to act as a protective layer for the components. The battery 109 will be a standard button cell with sufficient voltage to power all embedded components.

It is to be appreciated that one aspect of this system wirelessly transmits electromagnetic signals from the golf ball using Bluetooth technology (or any other) within a certain range (about 150 ft) to a receiving unit is the stand-alone hand held device 106, the smart phone 104, the bag unit 107, or other such receiving device on or near the golfer.

There are preferably twelve (12) golf balls numbered to assist the player in visual identification of one's ball in play. Each golf ball is provided with its own unique frequency to avoid cross frequencies and ball confusion.

Another aspect of the tracking system is to transmit data, including, but not limited to force, spin rate, launch angle, speed, and shot distance, 218 to the device in the possession of the golfer 104, 106, and/or 107, with software in the device enabling the device to store and interpret the transmitted information. The object of this aspect is to present the data in software to be interpreted, understood and to be shared amongst an online community of golfers and coaches/trainers.

Another aspect of the tracking system consists of a coordination system paired with software to enable the golfer's round to be mapped 216. When the position of the golf ball is located by the tracking system, the software will take a snapshot of the golf ball's GPS coordinates which will show a shot-by-shot process of the individual is played throughout the round. This information is stored on the hand held device and then transmitted to a dedicated web server 116 for use by the golfer to improve his/her game or to assist coaches/trainers in assisting the golfer in improving his/her game.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a system that includes one ball 102 coupled with a transmitter 300 that transmits an electromagnetic signal, paired with two electromagnetic signal receivers 104, 106, and/or 107. Not only does the transmitter send location signals, it also processes data based on in-flight information. These along with a coordinate system allow the software to determine where the individual is within the course of play.

After being hit the golf ball transmits an electromagnetic signal which is received by the smartphone 104 or the handheld unit 106 and by the bag unit 107. The CPU 308 within the integrated circuit 300 captures data points such as, spin rate, launch angle, speed, and shot distance 218. When the golfer reaches a specific distance from the location of the golf ball, smartphone 104 or the handheld unit 106 and by the bag unit 107 identifies the golf ball selected based on the signal frequency that it transmits, and determines location based on a triangulation of the signal strength emitted by the ball 102. After the golf ball 102 is located and identified the software extracts the data collected by the CPU in the ball, and presents it in statistical form. These statistics are stored within the server 116 and calculated to allow the golfer to see information to help improve his/her game of golf and make the golfing experience more enjoyable

When standing at the tee of the first hole of the round and each successive hole in the round, the system displays a layout of that hole on the golfer's device with distances to hazards and the pin. After the golfer strikes the ball, the system begins calculating and storing information about the force of the hit on the ball by the dub, the spin rate, velocity, direction and distance. After each strike of the ball, the coordinate system and software located in the golfer's hand-held device or other device will show a shot-by-shot map of each hole of golf to be played and exactly where the ball is located. This information is stored within the software and displayed on the device 106 so the golfer can see where he/she is in relation to the pin. Along with this capability, the coordinate system allows the golfer to see distances to markers and landmarks throughout the course in a quick and simple manner.

The stored information also allows the player to look back on prior rounds played to see improvements, tendencies, or simply share a round of golf with a friend or coach who couldn't attend the round.

This software system interfaces with the chip embedded golf ball to extract the previous specified data points, store said data and then transmit it to a dedicated web server. Users enjoy complete access to their specific information and any information shared with them by other users.

The design of the system measures movement of the ball, spin and acceleration and then transmits these parameters to the smart phone or hand held device. To pair the unit to the hand held device, an initial sudden acceleration is required to power on the unit. This is accomplished by throwing the ball against the ground with some force. This initial acceleration will instruct the embedded software on the integrated circuit to power on the Bluetooth chipsets and antennas so that the hand held device software can pair the unit with the player's account and record the initial GPS location from the hand held device. When the unit detects and transmits the next sudden acceleration of high g-force, it will record this, and all subsequent accelerations, as part of the stroke count. Between these acceleration spikes, just prior to the spike, the software records the GPS position of the smart phone or hand held device. This data is used for distance calculations. The unit transmit, and the software captures data associated with acceleration, spin and impact. GPS data is captured from the hand held device. The software is also programmed to capture the relative signal strength of the Bluetooth or wireless transmitter which to aid in the recovery of lost units. As the signal strength increases, the user is notified of the increasing proximity to the unit.

The user indicates through the hand held software interface the specific golf course, the beginning of a round of golf, and the start of each hole. The unit records stroke data between holes and report this data for scoring purposes. It also stores data on strike force, strength of strike, spin rate and distance traveled by the ball for later analysis by users.

User Software Application

The initial smart phone or other hand held device software provides the user interface for creating a user account (including but not limited to user name, email address, golf clubs used, favorite courses and other relevant statistics), adding golf balls to be tracked, selecting golf course to be played, selecting the golf hole being played, selecting golf club used on each stroke, recording GPS data for each stroke, and reporting scores for each hole and round of golf. All data collected from the hand held device is then be transmitted to the dedicated, online web server which permits user password protected access for reporting and analysis of one's golf game. The hand held device software also captures all data transmitted from the unit for either immediate transmission to the web server or for later connection and transmission from a personal computer.

Tracking Method

Upon initial pairing with the golf ball, the hand held device software captures data related to the signal strength from the Bluetooth antenna. Once the ball is in play, the same Bluetooth signal strength is used to assist the player in locating errant golf balls. As the user approaches the ball, the hand held device software notifies the user of the general proximity of the ball. As the user approaches the ball, the hand held device software advises that one is getting “warmer” up to 100 feet from the ball. Within 25 feet of the ball, the hand held device software enunciates “hotter” and then within 5 feet of the ball, it says “very hot.” These messages can be changed by the user in the user configuration menu of the hand held device software or via the web site interface.

The software will record: GPS coordinates for each stroke; spin rate of ball; force at impact; roll after initial touchdown of the ball; distance travelled by the ball; and stroke count

An Integrated circuit includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, Bluetooth RF transmitter, microprocessor, and a battery connection. A battery with sufficient power to permit for 1-2 years of continuous operation is used. Thereafter, customers can either dispose of the golf ball or preferably return it to the manufacturer for recycling.

Data Collected from Each Source

-   -   From the ball: spin rate, acceleration, Bluetooth signal         strength, and Bluetooth device ID.     -   From the hand held device: date; time; GPS coordinates (GPS data         will be captured only from the smart phone or hand held device.         There is no GPS receiver embedded in the ball.)     -   From the user: user information (name, email address, and the         like), golf clubs used, golf course played, golf hole number,         club selected for each shot, and the end of the round of golf.     -   From available Internet sources: ambient temperature, weather         conditions, wind speed and direction, and GPS data for golf         courses.     -   Data reported by software: distance travelled by ball; stroke         count; distance to ball; golf game scoring information; force         applied to ball; spin rate of the ball in flight; wind speeds         and direction; golf club used and current outcomes for each club         versus historic outcomes; and historic tendencies for each hole         of golf played.

All data collected from various sources are aggregated into a centralized web server data depository. Users are able to access their own data and share such data as they deem fit with other users or golf professionals. This in the hope of fostering an online golf community of players sharing their thoughts and recommendations for play on different courses. All data collected is subjected to statistical analysis to determine relevant metadata from across the entire range of information, without revealing anyone's specific private information. This metadata may be reported to stakeholders, for example, average stroke count for each hole on a selected golf course. One may also rank players based on their statistics and provide an online leader board based on player skill levels. Data may also be released to golf professionals/trainers to help their customers improve their golf game.

While there has been shown and described above the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith. 

1. In a system for use with a telephony device capable of operating software and for monitoring selectable parameters of a golf ball during a game of golf and deriving desired information therefrom, the system comprising: (a) a cellular communications network including at least one dedicated data collection servicer; (b) a digital hand-held unit including means for collecting and processing data using proprietary software for the capture, analysis and display of parameters derived from data upon said network; (c) a golf ball having disposed about a center thereof and within a diameter of less than one-half of said golf ball, a digital communication system, comprising: (i) a multi-axis accelerometer chip; (ii) a multi-axis gyroscope chip; (iii) an antenna capable of communication with said digital communication network; (iv) a central processing unit (CPU) including means for transmitting acquired data from said accelerometer and gyroscope to said network, said CPU including software for derivation of golf ball flight parameters of interest from data acquired from said network: (v) a sensor hub comprising means for management of data between said accelerometer, gyroscope and CPU; and (vi) a battery and associated power management means
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, said antennae configured to substantially surround said components of said digital communication system.
 2. tem as recited in claim 2, said digital communication system surrounded by standard interior and exterior golf ball materials.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1, said software including means for calculation of ball location, launch force, distance, velocity, roll, spin and trajectory of flight, results of said calculations appearing upon said hand-held unit.
 5. An athletic ball, comprising a sphere having disposed about a center thereof and within a diameter of less than one-half of said sphere, a digital communication system, comprising: (i) a multi-axis accelerometer chip; a multi-axis gyroscope chip; & (iii) an antenna capable of communication with said digital communication network; (iv) a central processing unit (CPU) including means for transmitting acquired data from said accelerometer and gyroscope to said network, said CPU including software for derivation of ball flight parameters of interest from data acquired from said network; (v) a sensor hub comprising means for management of data between said accelerometer, gyroscope and CPU; and (vi) a battery and associated power management means 